Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1887-09-01

did So When had finished she made no
comment but babe US now give our atten-
ton to mathematics. We did so. She was
apparently q good teacher, for she took
much pains to explain the problems and the
rules that governed them; but her voice
never lost its automatical ring. 1t was as
though wooden image were uttering those
things, and consequently the instructions
she gave were dry and uninteresting, and /
did not wonder that the children gave sigh
of relief when the lesson was over. But
they had evidently been taught implicit obe-
dience to their teachers rules, for they were
silent and respectful, paying strict atten-
ton to their books after their first stare
of welcome to me when was brought in.
She now gave us intermission, during which
she left us alone together. The children at
once threw off all restraint and approached
me with loud questions.
"What's your name?" asked the oldest
boy, looking into my face with his wicked
black eyes.
told him.
'Are you going to live herei" he inquired
next.
did not answer. His tone was jeering
and unkind, and felt ready to cry.
"Why don't you answer me2" he asked,
roughly. "Do you suppose" he continued,
''we're going to have you here without
knowing who and what you arel''
Mamma will tell us,' said his sister, see
ing did not speak. She was standing by
her brother, her golden hair and blue eyes
in strange contrast to his dark skin and jet
black hair. That she was proud, scornful
and vain did not doubt; and that 1 could
expect no kindness or friendliness from
her, saw at once.
4t~.k
mamma has picked up,' she said, with
toss of her yellow curls. "Did mamma
bring you hcreln she persisted, angrily.
eyes" answered, ''but wish she never
had l want to go home" and, unable
longer to control my feelings, gave way to
my grief and sobbed wildly.
After several attempts to question me
further the boy and girl left me to my self
and ran downstairs. The youngest boy re-
manned. He was sweet little fellow, with
blue eyes and dark curling hair. "Don't
cry" he said, coming close to me and laying
his little dimpled hand on my shoulder.
"It'll make your head ache; it does mine,"
he continued, wisely.
felt comforted somewhat by his gentle,
kindly words, and l sat up and wiped my
eyes.
"You came from a long way off, didn't
youl" he inquired, seating himself beside
me. Sand did my mamma bring you, and
what made your mamma let you comel'
81 have no mamma" replied; and then
explained to him how we lived at the
homo and the circumstances Of his mothers
adopting me, though why she had done so,
when she had three children Of her own,
could not imagine.
'Now tell me about yourself" / said,
when / had finished. ''Are those your
brother and sister who were here moment
ago7"
''Not my real brother and sister, he said,
gravely; "only my half brother and sister.
They're twins, you know; one is just as old
as the other, Irma and Irving Barrett that's
their names"
''And your name7" inquired.
SIS BERTHE Clayton, he answered, so
gravely and manlike, could hardly help
smiling
'You and III be friends" he went on.
81 like you. You mustn't mind il they arc
cross and mean-they always are But
like you. I think you're nice, nicer than
Irma; not so pretty, for she is like pict-
ure; heard mamma tell papa so to-day.
But she's cross to me. Are you ever
cross?''
l assured him Of my usual good nature,
and we soon became good friends. He Of
iered to show me his pets, and willingly